Structural and thermoluminescence properties of lithium borate glass matrices under UV and beta radiation

In the present work, glass samples in the (100 - x)B2O3-xLi(2)O binary system, with x varying from 30 to 50 mol%, were prepared using the conventional melting and moulding method, with the main objective of evaluating the thermoluminescence response when exposing these materials to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Complementary analysis based on density, optical absorption on the UV-visible region (UV-vis absorbance), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on the medium region, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis measurements were performed. Thermoluminescence measurements of vitreous samples showed glow curves with at least one peak with a maximum temperature of similar to 170 degrees C after exposure to UV radiation in the temperature range 50-250 degrees C. Samples were also exposed to beta radiation in the temperature range 25-275 degrees C, also showing single peaks with a maximum temperature of similar to 150 degrees C.